Day 8 of AishaOaktree's 21 days of YULE blog party

Each day for the next 13 days, I will be sharing  either some legends, myths, devotions, my own thoughts perhaps a recipe or 2 on my blog for Aisha's YULE Blog Party at By The Broomstick.

Please visit the other blogs that are participating(above)

I am still a newb, learning. Therefore any legend, myth, devotion etc. will be coming from someplace I read it, and I will be giving credit to the right people.

ADDITIONALLY, I have a small gift tree that has a some ornaments on it, but it also has 21 little gift bags or envelopes that are numbered 1-21.  Each day I will pick a winner from the comments for that day.  These giveaways are priced from $1-$5, and there are a few are like booby prizes...I am doing this FOR FUN!!

EASY RULES:

*be a follower
*tell me something about that day's post that means something to you, or touches you etc.
*list your name
*pick a number from 1-21*  (*each day obviously there will be numbers listed as OUT, it will be your responsibility to pay attention to each day's posts, to see the number that is no longer available)

Picture of gift tree not ready, will add asap
You can't see the gifts anyway, they are wrapped and in bags, or just there#s are in the bags or envelopes.   NO ONE from DAY ONE picked a #, so I asked hubby to pick one and I could take it out of the running...that # is the #11....so pick a number between 1-21 except for 11, 5, 7, 9, 21, 20 & 4.

yesterday no one picked a #, so my son picked #4.

I only allow 24 hours per post for picking numbers, comments always accepted :), but picking a # must be in the first 24 hours after I post each day! additionally only 1 win per person during the 21 days. Thank you.
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I am feeling quite sick today, it started slow with my sinuses and by 4pm I had a full-on sore throat and ear ache...Aisha, however did you give this to me over the internet, LOL!  :D j/k
By 8pm, full-on body aches, headache, stuffy and runny nose, and I feel exhausted. SERIOUSLY, I know it is from my allergies, as I did more cleaning over the last 2 days than I have in a month or more, and I disturbed a lot of dust...that's what I get for not wearing a mask.  Now I have to hope I feel better soon, or it will mean a trip to the Doc's and antibiotics, otherwise I take the risk of it moving into my chest (since I have asthma).

Anyway, sorry to be a bummer, but I really do feel like crap so, a short post today.

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From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism / Wicca

Feeling thankful for what you have? You should - it's important that we count our blessings each and every day! Cultivate an attitude of gratitude during this season of giving and sharing. Take a moment to meditate upon the fortunes you have -- and not just the material goods.

Counting your blessings

Yule should be a time of joy and happiness, but for many people it can be stressful. This is a season to take a moment and be thankful for the blessings you have, and to take a moment to remember those less fortunate.

Use prayer beads to count off your blessings.

Image (c) Patti Wigington 2008

I am grateful for that which I have.
I am not sorrowful for that which I do not.
I have more than others, less than some,
but regardless, I am blessed with
what is mine.

If you have a set of Pagan Prayer Beads, or a Witch's Ladder, you can use these to enumerate your blessings, much as a Catholic would say a rosary. Count off each bead or knot, and consider the things you are thankful for, like so:

First, I am thankful for my health.
Second, I am thankful for my family.
Third, I am thankful for my warm home.
Fourth, I am thankful for the abundance in my life.